Dear John, et al,
A significant feature of the Roman Catholic “brand” has always been the recognized primacy of conscience.
Cardinal Newman (whose name, IMHO, has been hijacked by the right wing, intolerant Cardinal Newman Society) said it best in the following quote:
“Conscience is the aboriginal Vicar of Christ,” Newman declared in his Letter to the Duke of Norfolk. He described it as, “a priest in its blessings and anathemas,” and he ended with his famous assertion: “Certainly, if I am obliged to bring religion into after-dinner toasts (which indeed does not seem quite the thing), I shall drink-to the pope, if you please-still, to conscience first, and to the pope afterwards.”
As always, thanks very much for your good work as CIC!
mike toner
BEE ‘72
buffalo, ny
ENDNOTE: Principles don’t change with party
Notre Dame’s Betrayal
By Patrick J. Reilly
president, Cardinal Newman Society
Catholic principles don’t change with party affiliation, and all serious Catholics would be happy if abortion and other intrinsic evils were opposed by both Democrats and Republicans.
[JR: The "Catholic" brand has been damaged by the priestly pedophilia and pro-abortion politician scandal. I'm no saint, but I'm insulted by these two "bad examples". The leaders of the Church have to reassert control of their "brand". Otherwise, they fail. At the very least, they have to apply the whip to those who give public scandal. The Amish shun; Catholics, and those kindred spirits, have to do the same. Remember that on voting day!]
[JR: Well, a lot of things and organizations seem to get hijacked these day. A very smart Brother at the Prep instructed us: "That we were to conduct ourselves in such a way that we could truthful report to our Mothers what we had done that day". Seems like he was defining, "conscience". I don't understand how some folks sleep at night. But, that's above my paygrade. Glad you like the work. "Good"? I was trying for "Outstanding". ROFL, fjohn68]
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